ND looking for respect despite high expectations

By TOM COYNE, AP Sports Writer

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 14, 2008 at 11:08 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 15, 2008 at 12:20 PM EST

SOUTH BEND (AP) — Even with seven of his top eight players back from an NCAA tournament team, including last season's Big East player of the year Luke Harangody, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey doesn't want to hear from those who are describing the Fighting Irish as a top 10 team.

As proof his team isn't ready for such accolades, Brey points to the way Washington State manhandled the Irish in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year in a stunning 61-41 loss in which they just shot 24.5 percent.

"I think we have Top 25 ability," he said Tuesday at the team's annual media day. "I've seen some of those single digits, but I don't know if I can agree with that right now. We have a lot of potential, a lot to work with."

The past two years the Irish have been largely overlooked before the season and have used it as motivation. Two years ago the Irish were picked to finish 11th and ended in fourth place. Last year they were picked ninth and finished tied for second.

But with Harangody (20.4 points, 10.6 rebounds) and first-team All-Big East player Kyle McAlarney (15.2 points) back, there's no way the Irish will sneak up on anyone. Still, the Irish plan to play as if they have a lot to prove because they haven't been as successful as they want in the Big East and NCAA tournaments, Harangody said.

"We're motivated to do more. I think we're capable of it," he said.

The other returning starters are Tory Jackson (8 points, 5.8 assists) and Ryan Ayers (7.8 points). Other key players back are Zach Hillesland (6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds), Luke Zeller (4.5 points) and Jonathan Peoples (3.3 points).

Brey isn't worried about Notre Dame on the offensive end. The Irish were 20th in the nation last season in scoring at 79 points a game and led the nation in assists at 18.4 a game.

But he wants the Irish to become a better defensive team, especially in rebounding. That is especially important because the only player the Irish lost was forward Rob Kurz, who did much of the dirty work for Notre Dame.

"I just haven't seen us defensive rebound at key times and get key loose balls," Brey said. "We play so well together on the offensive end. Our goal is to play that well on the defensive end together."

Notre Dame has no freshmen. Brey is hoping, though, that sophomores Tyrone Nash, Tim Abromaitis and Carleton Scott will all compete for playing time.

The Irish went 25-8 overall last season and 14-4 in the league. Brey said that with a schedule that rates as the toughest in school history, including playing in the Maui Invitational, and games against Ohio State and UCLA along with a difficult league schedule, the Irish could have a better team and finish with a worse record.

"Fourteen in the league with the way the league is this year, that's just not happening. I just don't know how that's going to happen," he said. "But we could be really good, and I think those guys realize that."

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